Saturday, 8 November 2014

Two super quilts arrived from Anne in Walsall, who sent them on behalf of their makers... her friend's Mum, Marion and her friend's cousin Lynne.

Many thanks ladies.

Marion was 90 when she made her quilt and, sadly, she died shortly after she finished it so it is quite a special treasure for it to be donated in her memory. Sincere thanks to her family for sending it and also sincerest sympathy. Such a lovely gesture which will bring some joy to a little child during their treatment.

No 99

The bag shows the wonderful kitten illustrations which are also in the quilt.

Here we have lots of playful teddies all over this fun quilt.

No 98

Bravery Bead Bags

When I took these super bravery bead bags into the unit, they were received with great glee as they had just run out of them.

Thanks so much to Tilly in Leigh, who stitched and lined them beautifully, in such super fabrics.

I'll have to get cracking and make some more soon as I'm sure these will all be given out pretty soon.

Eddie, of CHICS the cancer care and support group, told me that one of the parents had raised enough funds to provide the Bravery Beads for all of the children for a whole year!

Sunday, 14 September 2014

Here's another batch of quilts from Dot of New Ferry in Wirral. Dot had met me in Abakhan when I was demonstrating basic quilting, raising funds and supporting both LillyBo quilts and CHICKS children's cancer care support service. As a result Dot kindly decided to help by making these two great quilts, aimed especially for the older boys.

Quilt No 96

This blue geometric quilt has cosy brushed cotton backing.

Quilt 97

This will be so perfect for a young patient who loves cars.

Thanks so much Dot for all your expertise which will really be appreciated.

Pat in Bowring Park, Liverpool has been really busy and has created four super quilts, tote bags and some hand made toys.

Sincere apologies that these quilts have not been posted on the blog before now so hence the title of "Not So New Arrivals" but they were taken to the unit soon after I received them.

I have had so much going on in my life that I uploaded the photos and forgot I had not posted them.

My daughters and each set of grandies have each been to stay and I have also been to Germany but the major interruption since then has been a glitch in my health which has really put me down for a while. I'm still undergoing tests and trying to get my head around it all but, rest assured, I'm OK. I'm just not used to hospital visits and being anything other than 100% fit and healthy. Anyhow, less of me and more of the super results thanks to all of Pat's lovely work.

Tuesday, 22 April 2014

I have just delivered a batch of Bravery Bead Bags to the oncology unit, kindly sent from Jo in Powys and they were so well received.

Thanks so much Jo for sending them and they will very soon hold the children's well earned treasured beads.

A wonderful, bright, collection of around 18 bags in many colours and such a variety of designs to suit all ages. My favourite has to be the one with the tabby cat, right in the middle. Some have applique motifs which is a good way for the children to identify their own bag.

Another act of generousity from a Super Star Stitcher ... thanks Jo (Twiglet)

Monday, 14 April 2014

It is around a year since we started the LillyBo Quilt Appeal and, with 88 quilts donated, thankfully, we have reached the point where all the children who were attending the oncology unit for treatment had received a comfort quilt. Now we can slow down somewhat and quilts are only needed for the newly diagnosed children who are just setting out on the long road to recovery and we still have a few in hand.

Any new quilts will be there ready waiting and we all know, only too well, that week by week, there will sadly be new arrivals diagnosed.

I hope everyone of them comes through to be a healthy happy child just as my little grand daughter did. She recently had her big, end of treatment, checks and blood tests and I was overjoyed that she came through with the perfect results we had hoped for. It has been a long journey for her and her parents and I am so proud of the way they faced it all and coped so well.

Thanks to the hospital for their care and treatment.

Thanks also to all the Super Star Stitchers and everyone else who has helped LillyBo Quilt Appeal to provide the quilts shown here to comfort the children who are still going through it all.

Quilt No 86

arrived all the way from Wiltshire and was made by LLJ (Jan).

Jan tells me that, whilst she knew that there was no pressure or urgency for quilts, she made it just because she wanted to and really enjoyed sewing it, and it shows.

A super quilt in a gorgeous colour palette which will suit either a girl or a boy.

Thanks to Jan it will make a child very happy and become a special treasure, as I know they all do!

No 86

Here's the soft, cuddly, spotty blue backing and the handy tote it came in.

Quilt No 87

kindly made by Sally of Wavertree in Liverpool.

It is quite a bigger one and is ideal for a teenaged boy's single bed. It has an exciting action display of stunt bikers on the main fabric and the trendy complementary quilted panels pick out the main colours so effectively.

The lovely backing fabric is more traditional and gives an optional alternative look.

The detail of the action bikers can also be seen here close up.

Here's the bag it will pack into.

Sally also made Quilt No 88

and this is perfect for a little girl in a range of super fabrics in shades of pink, green and lemon.

The lemon gingham on the reverse complements it really well.

and here's the handy bag for it which will make it into a cushion for travelling.

Finally, I've made yet another clutch of bags, in a variety of designs, for the children's

Bravery Bead Awards.

These are going so quickly, in fact, as fast as I can make them, as each child gains another bead, a different one for each procedure endured and it's important for children coming through treatment to have their own bag to keep their beads safe.

I try to make not too many from the same fabric so children can readily identify their own bag. A good mix of fabrics for girls and boys from tiny tots to 16 years.

Friday, 17 January 2014

Here at last are pictures of the mega delivery received from Annette (Voodoo Vixen), who is in Australia. Annette made a few quilts last year whilst she was in her home in Scotland before she moved to Australia after living for a few years in Calgary. I bet she isn't missing this Winter in Calgary and is enjoying the sunshine of the Antipodes.

It was an utter surprise and such a thrill to receive this huge box of 5 quilts which annette so kindly mailed by sea in October. A long time at sea but so worthwhile.

Just look at the size of that boxful and a huge THANK YOU goes out, back across all that sea, to Annette.

Another Super Star Quilter with a heart of gold!

Here's a soft "raggy quilt in bright colours.....

No 80

A pastel scene next with a story on it just waiting to be told about the elephants and that cute little bird up in the branch.

No 81

I love Annette's detail of the added ribbon like bunting on the branch. Such a good idea as so many children love the comfort of stroking satin ribbon.

Here's an alphabet quilt with different animals standing for each letter. P for Porcupine, R for Racoon, Q for Quetzal (must look up that one and see if they are regulars in Australia?!!!)

No 82

A bevvy of butterflies on this square quilt will be so pretty for an older child.

No 84

Planes and trains and even a fire engine for lots of story lines on this one.

No 85

They all came tucked into handy totes and had a selection of special extras such as Comfort NooNoos and tiny, cute, drawstring bags.

They will all be so appreciated by the children in the unit and their families will be so thrilled to discover that they have come so far especially for them.